Water Detail - Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Watershed (MI04)

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Watershed (MI04)

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Cedar Creek (21300)

Size

27.76 Miles

Segment

5 - 32.76

Natural Community

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.

Warm Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Headwater

Year Last Monitored

This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.

2024

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Impairment Unknown

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus, PCBs

County

Ozaukee, Washington

Trout Water

Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.

Outstanding or Exceptional

Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.

Impaired Water

A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.

Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use

The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.

Restricted Aquatic Life

Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.

Attainable Use

The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.

WWSF

Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.

Designated Use

This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.

Default FAL

Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Historical Description

Cedar Creek T10N, R21E, Section 36, Surface Acres = 131.3, Length = 15,7 miles, Gradient = 9.6 feet per mile.
A major waterway of Ozaukee County, originating in Washington County,
and flowing eastward to the Milwaukee River. Several dams on the creek illustrate
that in the past it was a "working stream". At present only one of the dams is
used for power. Forage minnows and a few northern pike constitute the fishery.
Pollution by canneries has caused many fish kills in the past. The flow of this
stream has on several occasions dropped below 2 cfs so its capacity to accommodate
much pollution is limited. On the other extreme, maximum flow has been as great
as 3,320 cfs in the vicinity of Cedarburg (average 63.2 cfs).

From: Poff, Ronald J., Gernay, Ronald, and Threinen, C.W., 1964. Surface Water Resources of Ozaukee County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date 1964

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Watershed (MI04) Fish and Aquatic Life

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Watershed (MI04) Recreation

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Watershed (MI04) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Cedar Creek from the dam in downtown Cedarburg to its headwaters (miles 5 to 32.76) was evaluated for phosphorus and biology every two-year cycle from 2014 to 2022. Phosphorus levels were found to be too high, putting this segment on the Impaired Waters List in 2014. This water is covered by a restoration plan, the Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL.

Date 2022

Author Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Cedar Creek from its mouth to dam in downtown Cedarburg (miles 0 to 5) was put on the Impaired Waters List for PCB contaminated fish tissue and sediment. This site has legacy sediment contamination. The TMDL for PCBs was approved in 2008. Evaluation of fish and bug communities in the 2020 and 2022 cycles showed them in good condition.

Date 2022

Author Ashley Beranek

Condition

Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.

Reports

Milwaukee River PCB Mass Balance Report 1997

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek at Cth M 3m (Bi Sur), Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek at Sth 60, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek - 50 Feet Downstream Of Greenbay Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek at Sth 60 4m (Bi Sur), Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Cr. Br. - 15 Feet Downstream Hillside Dr., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek - 25 Feet Downstream Of Mayfield Rd. Just West Of The Town Of Mayfield, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek - 75 Ft Upstr Of Pleasant Valley Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

2010 Impaired Waters Delisting Documentation

Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL USEPA Approval Letter

USEPA Decision Document for the Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL, WI

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Milwaukee River South Watershed Plan 2014 (MI02)

Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Road-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - January 2013

2013 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report -Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Road

MI02 Milwaukee River South Watershed streams_rivers macroinvertebrates chart 2003 to 2012

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

Macroinvertebrate Assessment Package Report MI02 2003 to 2013

TP Assessment Package Report MI02 2003 to 2013

Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Road-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - December 2012

Cedar Creek 21300 Fish PCB data

Cedarburg Pond 21700 FishPCBs

Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Road-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February - December 2011

USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Cedar Creek and Milwaukee River TMDL Thiensville Segment 21300_35378

Cedar Creek & Milwaukee River PCBs TMDL 2008

WATER RESOURCE APPRAISALS AND STREAM CLASSIFICATIONS FOR THE CEDAR CREEK WATERSHED, CEDARBURG SUBWATERSHED

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Restore Wetlands

TMDL Monitoring

Cedar Creek is a 28-mile, warm water stream that runs through Washington and Ozaukee Counties of Southeastern Wisconsin and flows into the Milwaukee River at river mile 28. Cedar Creek is part of the Great Lakes Basin, and ultimately the fate and transport of PCBs to the Milwaukee River and the Milwaukee River Area of Concern should be considered when exploring implementation actions for this TMDL. Despite the remediation efforts of Ruck Pond, human and ecological risks remain in effect downstream of the Ruck Dam in Cedar Creek to the Milwaukee River.

TMDL (USEPA) Approved

The Cedar Creek and Milwaukee River watershed was listed on the 2006 Section 303(d) list due to fish consumption advisories due to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Nine Key Element Plan

Cedar Creek PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan - This priority watershed plan assesses nonpoint pollution sources in the Cedar Creek Watershed and sets forth a strategy for reducing their effects on surface waters.

Monitor Water Quality or Sediment

New data confirms phosphous listing. Temperature exceedance based on June 2018 exceedance rate - not sufficient for listing because there were fewer days recorded in the month than all other months. All other months meet criteria.

Monitor Fish Tissue

21300 name Cedar Creek TMDL ID 35378-69 Start Mile 0 End Mile 5

Sediment Remediation Phase 5 - Implementation

A total of 11,219.5 metric tons of sediment were removed from Ruck Pond during this dry excavation.

Sediment Remediation Phase 1 - Screening

Evidence in fish tissue that Cedar Creek has PCB contamination.

Management Goals

Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable

Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.

Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.

Grants and Management Projects

Project Name (Click for Details)	Year Started
Cedar Creek at Division Road	2008
LITTLE CEDAR LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Starry Stonewort Containment in Little Cedar Lake 2	2023
Cedar Creek at STH 60, North side of road	2010
Milwaukee River TMDL	2012
LITTLE CEDAR LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Little Cedar E. Coli Monitoring 2016	2016
Wetland Restoration Database	2016
LITTLE CEDAR LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Starry Stonewort Containment in Little Cedar Lake	2019
CITY OF CEDARBURG: Catch Basin Replacements	2005
Cedar Creek & Milwaukee River TMDL	2008
CITY OF CEDARBURG: 2004 & 2005 Stormceptors	2004
Cedar Creek at Little Cedar Lake outlet	2009
Cedar Creek at Big Cedar Lake Outlet	2009
Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Rd	2008
SWEET WATER - SE WI WATERSHED TRUST INC: Nine Key Element Plan for Cedar Creek	2017
CITY OF CEDARBURG: Parkview Meadows Pond Retrofit	2004
Cedar Creek - 25 Ft Downstream of Mayfield Rd west of the town of Mayfield	2010
Cedar Creek at S Church Rd	2012
Cedar Creek PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan	1993

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10004727	Cedar Creek - Cedar Cr 35 Lakefield Road			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016672	Cedar Creek - 25 Ft. Dwnstm Hwy 143 In Hornscorner. Subwatershed = Horns Corner(Spring Hbi = 5.370) Stm Seg - Hc011	11/11/1986	11/11/1986	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	465009	Cedar Creek - Cedarburg Pond - (Upstrm of Cedarburg Dam and Bridge St)	8/3/1993	11/6/2012	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673265	Cedar Creek - Pleasant Valley Road - 100 Ft Downstream Of Road	11/18/1999	9/14/2003	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10009172	Cedar Creek Station #1 260 M Downstream Of Lilly Road			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016675	Cedar Cr - 10 Ft Dwnstm 143 In Horns Corners	11/1/1990	11/1/1990	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10010179	Cedar Creek at Cth M (100m Upstream)	5/16/1979	9/16/2003	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673046	Cedar Creek at East Sherman Rd	5/16/1979	9/26/2000	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10009188	Cedar Creek Station #3 Schweitzer Impoundment	9/23/1999	9/23/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673109	Cedar Creek - N Br at Plsnt Va 1m(Bi)	4/21/1986	11/1/2021	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10004718	Cedar Creek - Cedar Creek 05 Bel Hamilton Dam			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10007711	Cedar Creek at Scenic Dr			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463184	Cedar Creek - Ruck Pond Sediment	7/22/1992	5/8/2001	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673110	Cedar Creek at Sherman Rd 1m(Bi)			Map	Data
24700	Mayfield Pond (Schwietzer)	10007132	Mayfield Pond	7/27/1999	7/9/2001	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016326	Cedar Creek - 20 Ft. DS Mayfield Rd Stm Seg - Mf003	11/6/1986	2/23/2020	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016673	Cedar Creek - 20 Feet Downstream Hwy 143	4/22/1986	4/22/1986	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10039177	Cedar Creek at Cedar Creek Rd			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673251	Cedar Creek - 75 Ft Upstr Of Cedar Crk Rd Bridge	11/18/1999	11/18/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10044963	Cedar Creek at North Granville Road	6/14/2016	8/25/2016	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673048	Cedar Creek at Sth 60	9/26/2000	10/9/2020	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673121	Cedar Creek at S Church Rd	9/20/1973	8/7/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673108	Cedar Creek at Cth M 3m (Bi Sur)	5/27/2017	9/25/2020	Map	Data
25100	Little Cedar Lake	10053282	Achermanns Park	7/28/2015	7/28/2015	Map	Data
24700	Mayfield Pond (Schwietzer)	673243	Mayfield Pond - Cedar Creek (2)	4/24/1990	9/23/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016327	Cedar Creek - 25 Feet Downstream Of Mayfield Rd. Just West Of The Town Of Mayfield	4/21/1986	10/7/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10014207	Cedar Creek Upstream Of Sherman Road	5/16/1979	10/19/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463199	Cedar Creek - Cedarburg Pond Site 4 Of 01fhmcage			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673254	Cedar Creek - 250 Ft Upstr Of Hwy C Near Intersection	11/18/1999	11/18/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673111	Cedar Creek at Sherman Rd 2m (Bi)			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10008823	Cedar Creek Station #1 200 M Up From Covered Bridge Road	10/25/2000	10/25/2000	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10034010	Cedar Creek - 20 meters upstream of Kaehlers Mill Road	7/21/2011	1/1/2015	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10008835	Cedar Creek4			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673252	Cedar Creek - ~800 Ft Dnstr Of Cedar Cr Rd Bridge	11/18/1999	11/18/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673044	Cedar Creek at Sth 60 W Of Jackson	1/14/2022	3/7/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10004728	Cedar Creek - Cedar Cr 41 Up Hiland Dam			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016352	Cedar Cr - 300 Ft Dwnstm Of Mayfield Rd	11/26/1990	11/26/1990	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016670	Cedar Creek - 50 Ft. Dwnstm Hwy Y West Of Horns Corner Subwatershed = Horns Corner (Springhbi = 5.889) Stm Seg - Hc006	11/11/1986	11/11/1986	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10022544	Cedar Creek US Hwy 60	5/27/2010	12/4/2023	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10004717	Cedar Creek - Cedar Creek 35 Hwy 60			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016227	Cedar Creek - 40 Feet Downstream Old Hwy 45 South Of Hwy 60	4/21/1986	4/21/1986	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10047389	Wetland [ID 67423695995]	10/5/2016	10/5/2016	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10034839	Cedar Creek ~700ft S of Hwy 60 off Keup Rd	5/10/2014	10/11/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463074	Cedar Creek at Sth 60 4m (Bi Sur)	10/11/2002	11/4/2019	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463080	Cedar Creek at Bridge St.	8/27/1990	10/20/1994	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463089	Cedar Creek - Cedarburg Pond	3/31/1992	3/31/1992	Map	Data
24700	Mayfield Pond (Schwietzer)	10009188	Cedar Creek Station #3 Schweitzer Impoundment	9/23/1999	9/23/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10009185	Cedar Creek Station #2 Lily Road To Schweitzer Dam	6/9/1999	11/1/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10051137	Cedar Creek at Whitetail Lane	5/17/2018	10/9/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673253	Cedar Creek - 100 Ft Upstr Of Hwy C Bridge	4/19/1985	11/18/1999	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10004719	Cedar Creek - Cedar Cr 46 Cedarburg Pond			Map	Data
5032689	Unnamed	10047388	Wetland [ID 67423696190]			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673051	Cedar Creek at Cth G Near Jackson	11/6/1986	10/25/2023	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016669	Cedar Creek - 50 Feet Downstream Of Hwy Y	4/22/1986	4/22/1986	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10009184	Cedar Creek Station #4 Upstream Of Schweitzer Impoundment			Map	Data
24700	Mayfield Pond (Schwietzer)	673242	Mayfield Pond - Cedar Creek	9/10/1998	5/24/2001	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016204	Cedar Cr. Br. - 15 Feet Downstream Hillside Dr.	4/19/1985	10/10/2019	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10016236	Cedar Creek - 100 Ft Dwnstm Old Hwy 45 South Ofhwy 60 (Spring Hbi = 5.933 And 5.303)Subwtsd = Mayfield Stm Seg - Mf 004	11/10/1986	11/10/1986	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10028908	Cedar Creek at Division Road	10/1/2002	8/7/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10004729	Cedar Creek - Cedar Cr 43 Abv Columbia Dam			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10007710	Cedar Creek at Cedar Creek Rd			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463013	Cedar Creek - Sth 60 Above Cedarburg	1/6/1977	10/17/2002	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10014829	Cedar Creek at Big Cedar Lake Outlet	5/5/2009	10/26/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463063	Cedar Creek - Near Cedarburg WI	4/17/1980	9/15/2003	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10053282	Achermanns Park	7/28/2015	7/28/2015	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10028907	Cedar Creek at Covered Bridge Road	6/16/2007	10/14/2024	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	10047388	Wetland [ID 67423696190]			Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	463187	Cedar Creek - Ruck Pond Sediment	5/8/2001	5/8/2001	Map	Data
21300	Cedar Creek	673249	Cedar Creek - 75 Ft Upstr Of Pleasant Valley Rd	10/7/1997	11/1/2024	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Cedar Creek is located in the Cedar Creek watershed which is 129.26 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (33.50%), grassland (18.90%) and a mix of wetland (17.70%) and other uses (29.90%). This watershed has 176.82 stream miles, 1,897.46 lake acres and 13,111.81 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.

Natural Community

Cedar Creek is considered a Warm Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Headwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Cool (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Warm Mainstem waters are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with relatively warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Warm Headwaters are small, usually intermittent streams with warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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